In the midst of life I woke to find myself living in an old house beside Brick Lane in the East End of London

Viscountess Boudica’s St Patrick’s Day

On St Patrick’s Day, we celebrate our dearly beloved Viscountess Boudica of Bethnal Green who once entertained us with her seasonal frolics and capers but is now exiled to Uttoxeter

Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig oraibh

In the East End, we owe a debt of gratitude to Viscountess Boudica of Bethnal Green and we miss her inspirational example in observing each of the festivals of the year with passion and gusto. On St Patrick’s Day, I always found her togged up like a cheeky Leprechaun and swigging Guinness as if she was born to it, and when I enquired further I discovered this was precisely the case.

“My people were landowners near Dublin but when Elizabeth I sent her army into Ireland, we were forced to flee to France and then we returned to live in Gloucestershire,” she admitted to me with the melancholy refined smile of one from an ancient aristocratic lineage.“Once when I was a child, we were on holiday in Wales and I stared out to sea – I always felt there was something out there for me,” she continued, getting lost in contemplation as she surveyed the magnificent green and orange decorations that adorned her pink living room.

It was only as an adult that the Viscountess Boudica discovered her true origins. “Even before I found out I was Irish, I knew I was different from everybody else in relating to English culture, ” she confessed to me as she stroked her ginger locks and sipped her Guinness thoughtfully, “I need to go to Dublin in search of my roots…”

Éirinn go brách

Cá mbeidh tú ag fliuchadh na seamróige?

Sláinte!

Tabhair póg dom, táim Éireannach.

Viscountess Boudica’s jacket with Irish badges from the days she hung out with skinheads

I have often thought about Viscountess Boudicca and wondered how she was faring in exile. Do you have any news of her?
Are you still in touch and if so, might we have an update on her new circumstances? Please let her know if hat she is remembered fondly by your readers.

My favorite lady is back on stage – her collection of clothes today is so good. She is loved by her fans and is missed since she moved away. Lets enjoy her on this St Patrick’s Day, this is a splendid spread by GA. Ireland please except into your hearts at one time she was so sad and lonely – just love her while you can ok. Poet John a Huguenot Bristol PS she must be nice she likes teddies

I met the countess at one of your book launches, it is such a shame that ignorance drove her from her home.
Please find a space in your busy life to go and visit her and give us an update on her new life.
Gary

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